Thermo-electromechanical multi-function support device

ABSTRACT

A device for use with piping or other equipment that is subject to changes in position due to variations in its thermal condition. The device comprises actuating means, which is secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and is movable relative to the piping in response and in direct proportion to expansion or contraction resulting from said variations in thermal condition, and coupling means. The actuating means includes a rigid member connected at one end to the piping at the first location and a lever pivotally connected to the piping at the second location and to the other end of the rigid member. The coupling means is variable in effective length and is connected at one end to the lever and at its other end to a stationary support. The coupling means includes an electric motor which is cooperatively associated with the lever. The parts are so constructed and arranged that increments of movement of the actuating means cause corresponding variations in the effective length of the coupling means.

United States Patent [151 3,695,564 Suozzo [451 Oct. 3, 1972 [541 THERMO-ELECTROMECHANICAL [57 ABSTRACT MULTI-FUNCTION SUPPORT DEVICE [72] Inventor: Leonard S. Suozzo, 366 Maple Hill Drive, Hackensack, NJ. 07601 [22] Filed: Aug. 17, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 64,320

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 807,048,

March 13, 1969, Pat. No. 3,539,136.

[52] US. Cl. ..248/59 [51] Int. Cl ..F16l3/20 [58] Field of Search ..248/54 CS, 54 R, 58, 59

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,905,415 9/1959 Sundahl ..248/54 R 3,033,506 5/1962 Suozzo ..248/58 2,945,656 7/1960 Sherburne ..248/58 Primary Examiner-Chancellor E. Harris Attorney-F. J. Pisarra A device for use with piping or other equipment that is subject to changes in position due to variations in its thermal condition. The device comprises actuating means, which is secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and is movable relative to the piping in response and in direct proportion to expansion or contraction resulting from said variations in thermal condition, and coupling means. The actuating means includes a rigid member connected at one end to the piping at the first location and a lever pivotally connected to the piping at the second location and to the other end of the rigid member. The coupling means is variable in effective length and is connected at one end to the lever and at its other end to a stationary support. The coupling means includes an electric motor which is cooperatively associated with the lever. The parts are so constructed and arranged that increments of movement of the actuating means cause corresponding variations in the effective length of the coupling means.

3 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure minnows 1 IINVENTOR.

LEONARD s. suozzo I Aftorney 13, 1969 now US Pat..No. 3,539,136 dated Nov. 10, l970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a device for properly and effectively supporting and/or controlling movement of piping or other equipment that is subject to changes in position due to variations in its thermal condition.

As in the case of the support device of my said pending application, the subject device is multi-functional in that it may beneficially serve in a wide variety of capacities, depending on specific applications, and may be advantageously employed, by way of example, as:

. l. A shock and swayarrestor;

2. A springless constant support;

3. An assist to known spring supports to render them truly constant; and/or j 4. A positioner for piping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device of this invention is intended for use with piping or other equipment that is subject to changes in position due to variations in thermal condition.

The device comprises two basic means, namely actuating means, adapted to be secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and to move relative to the piping in response and in direct proportion to said variations in thermal condition, and coupling means connected to the actuating means and adapted to be connected to a stationary support. The actuating means includes a rigid member, which is adapted to be pivotally connected to the piping at said first location, and a lever, which is pivotally connected to the rigid member and is adapted to be pivotally connected to the piping at said second location. The coupling means is adjustable in length and is connected at one end to the lever and is adapted to be connected at its other end to a stationary support. The coupling means includes an electric motor which is cooperatively associated with the lever.

The objects of this invention include those enumerated in my said pending application, Ser. No. 807,048.

This invention has for a further object the provision of a device of the character indicated having its parts so constructed and arranged that increments of movement of the actuating means produce corresponding, but greatly increased, changes in the effective length of the coupling means.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character indicated that is capable of properly supporting and/or positioning very heavy piping loads.

"The objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent and manifest to persons trained in the art from the ensuing detailed description and the accompanying drawing which describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing contains a single view in side elevation of a device of this inventioncooperatively associated with piping.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, the therein illustrated embodiment of the invention is shown in operative association with a section of piping 1 which is encased in a suitable heat insulating sheath 2. For the purposes of this disclosure, it is assumed that piping section 1 is part of a piping system employed in a high temperature power plant. It is not uncommon in modern power plants to utilize piping systems to transmit steam at temperatures in excess of 1,000 F and at pressures greater than 1,500 pounds per square inch. Such systems require adequate support to allow and compensate for movement of the piping due to normal expansion and contraction of the metal thereof.

The inventive device includes a bracket 3 which is secured at a first location to piping section 1 by a weldment 4. The bracket has an upstanding arm 5. A second bracket 6 is secured to the piping section at a second location, which is spaced from bracket 3, by a like weldment 7. This bracket also has an upstanding arm 8.

A housing unit 9 includes a rear wall 10 that is attached to bracket arm 8 by bolts 11. The housing unit also includes side and front walls (not shown) and is provided at the top with a tubular, upwardly projecting extension, a portion of which is indicated at 12.

The device also includes actuating means that is comprised of a rigid member 13 and a lever 14. The rigid member includes a first rod which is provided at one end with a clevis 16 and which is threaded at its other end, as indicated at 17. The clevis is connected to the upper end of bracket arm 5 by a pivot pin 18. The rigid member also includes a second rod 19 which is provided with a clevis 20 at one end and is threaded, as indicated at 21, at its other end. Clevis 20 is joined to lever 14 by a pivotpin 22. A turnbuckle 23 engages the threaded ends 17 and 21 of the rods andserves to adjust the overall length of rigid member 13, as required at the time of installation. Lever I4 is pivoted at its lower end to bracket arm 8 by a pivot pin 24 and at its upper end to a link 25 by a pivot pin 26.

A switch arm 27 is pivotal relative to housing wall 10, as indicated at 28. This arm is connected intermediate its ends to the other end of link 25 by a pivot pin 29.

Switch arm 27 is an element of an arrangement of electrical devices which include a reversible electric motor 30 that is affixed to housing wall 10 by bolts or the like 31. The motor includes a rotary shaft 32 which carries a pinion 33. The electrical devices also include a plurality of switch contacts C, through C that are equi-spaced and arranged along an arc of a circle. Each switch contact is connected to the motor and is adapted to successively make and break electric contact with switch arm 27, depending on the angular position of the switch arm. When the parts are in the illustrated relative position, switch arm 27 is out of contact with the switch contacts and is at a position to the left of contact C As a result, motor 30 is out of active service. When arm 27 makes contact with an individual switch contact, the motor is activated. The arrangement of electrical devices is such that the motor is activated so that its shaft 32turns a predetermined number of revolutions each time arm 27 engages a switch contact. Motor shaft 32 rotates in one direction in response to pivotal movement of arm 27 in a clockwise direction and in a reverse direction in response to pivotal movement of arm 27 in a counter-clockwise direction.

Pinion 33 meshes with a gear 34 which is carried by and is rotatable with a screw member 35. The screw member is supported for rotation in a bearing 36 and extends through a wall of a tubular casing 37 that is welded to housing wall as indicated at 38. Positioned within the casing is a support block 39. A thrust bearing 40 is interposed between the lower end of screw member 35 and block 39. The screw member is operatively associated with a nut member 41. Screw member 35 and nut member 41 are elements of a motion converting mechanism.

Secured to the sides member 41, preferably by we1ding, is a pair of oppositely disposed, upwardly projecting, arcuate members 42. A plate 43 is positioned between and welded to the upper ends of members 42. The tubular extension is equipped with a pair of switches 44 and 45 which are connected to motor 30. Members 42 carry a pair of oppositely projecting lateral pins 46 and 47 which register with corresponding vertical slots in portion 12 of the tubular extension. These pins serve the multiple functions of indicating vertical travel of the piping section and preventing rotational movement of nut member 41 relative to screw member 35 while permitting movement of the nut member along the screw member. Pin 47 serves the additional function of actuating switches 44 and 45 to closed condition, depending on the position of this pin at a particular time. Nut member 41, members 42 and plate 43 are in the nature of a cage. A telescopic cover 48 is mounted on nut member 41 and protectively envelopes the upper portion of screw member 35.

The device further includes connector means, generally indicated by numeral 50, which'comprises a pair of rods 51 and 52 that are threaded, as shown, and are interconnected by a turnbuckle 53 for adjusting its length at the time of installation. Rod 51 is pivotally connected by a pin 54 to a bracket 55 which is anchored to a stationary overhead support, such as a beam 56, by bolts or the like 57. Rod 52 extends through a tap (not shown) in plate 43 and is secured thereto by a weldment 58.

For the purpose of outlining the operation of the above-described embodiment of the invention, it is as sumed that the device has been installed and that the parts are in the relative position shown in the drawing. It is also assumed that switch arm 27 is to the left of switch contact C as shown, and that motor 30 is out of active service. It will be evident that piping l is being directly supported by the device. It is further assumed that the piping system is initially in cold condition, the temperature of the piping being substantially the same as that of the ambient atmosphere, for example, 70 F.

When the piping system is placed in service, steam generated by the power plant is transmitted therethrough and the temperature of the piping gradually increases to a maximum predetermined level,

for example, l,070 F. As a consequence of this temperature increase, the piping system gradually expands or elongates and its position is changed. The elongation of the portion of piping 1 between brackets 3 and 6, due to the temperature increase, causes rigid member 13 to move toward the right and lever 14 and switch arm 27 to swing clockwise about respective pivot pins 24 and 28. This causes switch arm 27 to successively make and break contact with switch contacts C through C When each such contact is made, motor 30 is automatically placed in active service causing its shaft 32 to rotate a predetermined number of revolutions. This, in turn, causes nut member 41 and the piping to move downwardly because of the interconnection of gear 34, screw member 35, connector means 50 and associated devices. The illustrated construction effects lowering of the piping by increments of distances corresponding to, but greater than, increments of elongation of the piping between brackets 3 and 6. The parts are so designed and arranged that the piping is moved the calculated or actual distance it would normally move due to temperature increase from cold condition to hot condition. It will be manifest that the device both supports the piping and causes it to move to its calculated or actual normal position in response to variations in the temperature of the piping.

At such time as the power plant is shut down, the temperature of the piping gradually reduces from l,O F to the ambient temperature of about 70 F and the piping contracts. Such contraction of the piping causes the device to operate in a reverse manner, thereby causing the piping to assume its calculated or normal position at all times during cooling.

As stated, motor 30 is reversible and the arrangement of electrical devices is such that the motor rotates in one direction during heating of the piping and in a reverse direction during cooling thereof. Switch 44 is actuated by pin 47 to place the motor out of service when the piping reaches and so long as the piping is at its lower travel limit. Switch 45 is actuated by pin 47 to likewise place the motor out of service when the piping reaches and so long as it is at its upper travel limit.

Based on the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation, objects and advantages of my present invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art, without further description. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the construction described above and illustrated in the drawing may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, it being intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A device for use with equipment, such as piping, that is subject to changes in position resulting from expansion or contraction due to variations in its thermal condition comprising:

a. actuating means adapted to be secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and to move relative to the piping as the piping expands or contracts in response and in direct proportion to said variations in thermal condition, said actuating means comprising:

1. a rigid member adapted to be pivotally connected to the piping at said first location; and

2. a lever pivotally connected to the rigid member and adapted to be pivotally connected to the piping at said second location, said lever being operatively associated with the means for placing the motor into and out of active service; and

b. coupling means operably connected to the actuating means and adapted to be connected to a stationary support, said coupling means including:

1. connector means adapted to be connected to the stationary support; and

2. electric motor means interposed between and coacting with the actuating means and the connector means, said electric motor means comprising:

i. a reversible motor; and

ii. means for placing the motor into and out of active service in response to predetermined increments of movement of the actuating means.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means for placing the motor into and out of active service comprises:

a. a switch member connected to the lever and pivotal relative thereto; and

b. a plurality of spaced switch contacts successively engageable by the switch member.

3. A device for use with equipment, such as piping,

that is subject to changes in position resulting from expansion or contraction due to variations in its thermal condition comprising:

a. actuating means adapted to be secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and to move relative to the piping as the piping expands or contracts in response and in direction proportion to said variations in thermal condition; and

b. coupling means operably connected to the actuating means and adapted to be connected to a stationary support, said coupling means including:

1. connector means adapted to be connected to the stationary support;

2. a reversible electric motor interposed between and coacting with the actuating means and the connector means; and

3. means for replacing the motor into and out of active service in response to predetermined increments of movement of the actuating means, said means for placing the motor into and out of active service comprising:

i. a switch member movable in response to corresponding movement of the actuating means; and

a plurality of spaced switch contacts successively engageable by the switch member. 

1. A device for use with equipment, such as piping, that is subject to changes in position resulting from expansion or contraction due to variations in its thermal condition comprising: a. actuating means adapted to be secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and to move relative to the piping as the piping expands or contracts in response and in direct proportion to said variations in thermal condition, said actuating means comprising:
 1. a rigid member adapted to be pivotally connected to the piping at said first location; and
 2. a lever pivotally connected to the rigid member and adapted to be pivotally connected to the piping at said second location, said lever being operatively associated with the means for placing the motor into and out of active service; and b. coupling means operably connected to the actuating means and adapted to be connected to a stationary support, said coupling means including:
 1. connector means adapted to be connected to the stationary support; and
 2. electric motor means interposed between and coacting with the actuating means and the connector means, said electric motor means comprising: i. a reversible motor; and ii. means for placing the motor into and out of active service in response to predetermined increments of movement of the actuating means.
 2. a lever pivotally connected to the rigid member and adapted to be pivotally connected to the piping at said second location, said lever being operatively associated with the means for placing the motor into and out of active service; and b. coupling means operably connected to the actuating means and adapted to be connected to a stationary support, said coupling means including:
 2. electric motor means interposed between and coacting with the actuating means and the connector means, said electric motor means comprising: i. a reversible motor; and ii. means for placing the motor into and out of active service in response to predetermined increments of movement of the actuating means.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means for placing the motor into and out of active service comprises: a. a switch member connected to the lever and pivotal relative thereto; and b. a plurality of spaced switch contacts successively engageable by the switch member.
 2. a reversible electric motor interposed between and coacting with the actuating means and the connector means; and
 3. means for replacing the motor into and out of active service in response to predetermined increments of movement of the actuating means, said means for placing the motor into and out of active service comprising: i. a switch member movable in response to corresponding movement of the actuating means; and a plurality of spaced switch contacts successively engageable by the switch member.
 3. A device for use with equipment, such as piping, that is subject to changes in position resulting from expansion or contraction due to variations in its thermal condition comprising: a. actuating means adapted to be secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and to move relative to the piping as the piping expands or contracts in respoNse and in direction proportion to said variations in thermal condition; and b. coupling means operably connected to the actuating means and adapted to be connected to a stationary support, said coupling means including: 